MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi is an ATX form factor motherboard built around the AM5 socket and B840 chipset, targeting users who want a capable platform with built-in wireless connectivity. It includes Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) alongside Bluetooth 5.4, RGB lighting, and a clear CMOS button for straightforward BIOS resets. A dual BIOS feature adds a layer of reliability for those who overclock or experiment with firmware settings.

On the memory side, the board accommodates four DDR5 slots with a rated maximum of 5600 MHz, extendable to 8000 MHz via overclocking, and supports up to 256GB across two channels. Storage options include two M.2 sockets and four SATA 3 connectors, with RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations available. The rear I/O provides a mix of USB ports including USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C, four USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output, and a single RJ45 Ethernet port, while expansion slots cover one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, and three PCIe x1 slots.

Pros

Supports Wi-Fi 7 alongside Bluetooth 5.4, covering the latest wireless standards for both networking and peripherals
Dual BIOS provides a fallback option if a firmware update goes wrong or a BIOS configuration becomes unstable
DDR5 memory can be overclocked up to 8000 MHz, offering meaningful headroom beyond the 5600 MHz base speed
Four memory slots with support for up to 256GB of DDR5 gives considerable room for future memory upgrades
Six fan headers allow for a thorough cooling setup across the chassis
Includes both a TPM connector and a clear CMOS button, adding practical security and maintenance convenience

Cons

No PCIe 5.0 x16 slot, limiting compatibility with the fastest next-generation graphics cards and storage devices
Only two M.2 sockets, which may feel restrictive for builds relying heavily on NVMe storage
No S/PDIF output, which rules out direct digital audio connections to certain receivers or DACs
USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4 ports are absent, reducing high-speed peripheral and display connectivity options
RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 0+1 are not supported, narrowing storage redundancy configurations for more demanding setups

Who is this for?

This board is a solid fit for builders assembling a mainstream AM5 desktop system who want modern wireless connectivity without adding a separate adapter — Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are both built in. The dual BIOS, easy CMOS reset, and overclocking support make it well-suited for users who like to tune their system, particularly those pushing DDR5 memory speeds up to 8000 MHz. With six fan headers and RGB support, it also appeals to those who invest time in cable management, cooling layouts, and case aesthetics.

Who is this NOT for?

Users building a high-end workstation or content creation rig that depends on ECC memory for data integrity will find this board unsuitable, as ECC support is absent. Enthusiasts targeting the fastest storage and GPU throughput will also be held back by the lack of a PCIe 5.0 x16 slot. Additionally, professionals who rely on Thunderbolt for connecting high-speed external devices or displays, or those needing advanced RAID configurations like RAID 5 or RAID 10 for redundant storage arrays, will find the feature set too limited for those specific workflows.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B840
form factor	ATX
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✓
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	243.8 mm
width	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi is built around the AM5 socket with B840 chipset compatibility and follows the standard ATX form factor, measuring 304.8 mm wide by 243.8 mm tall. It supports the full range of modern wireless standards through its built-in Wi-Fi, spanning Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and pairs this with Bluetooth 5.4, though aptX audio codec support is not included. The board features RGB lighting, a dual BIOS setup, and a clear CMOS button for easy BIOS resets, and it is designed to support overclocking. Video output is handled via an HDMI 2.1 port, while integrated graphics and an integrated CPU are absent, meaning a discrete GPU and a separate processor are required. The board carries a 3-year warranty.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The board features four DDR5 memory slots arranged in a dual-channel configuration, supporting a maximum capacity of 256GB. Standard operating speed tops out at 5600 MHz, while overclocking can push that figure to 8000 MHz for those looking to extract additional bandwidth. ECC memory is not supported.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	0
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	0
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The rear I/O panel includes a total of eight USB ports: one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and four USB 2.0 ports. There are no USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 4 ports present. For video output, an HDMI port is available, while DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA connectors are absent. Wired networking is handled by a single RJ45 port, and there are no eSATA or PS/2 connectors on this board.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	6
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	2
M.2 sockets	2
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

Internal connectivity is well-covered, with four SATA 3 connectors for traditional storage drives and two M.2 sockets for NVMe or SATA-based solid-state drives. No SATA 2, U.2, or mSATA connectors are present. USB expansion headers include two USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers and two USB 3.0 headers for front-panel connections, along with four USB 2.0 expansion headers. The board also provides six fan headers for cooling management and includes a TPM connector for security module support.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe x1 slots	3
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The board offers a total of five PCIe slots: one PCIe 4.0 x16 slot for the primary graphics card, one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for additional expansion cards, and three PCIe x1 slots for smaller peripherals. There are no PCIe 5.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, or legacy PCI slots included.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
audio connectors	3

The onboard audio supports 7.1-channel output and is accessible through three analog audio connectors on the rear panel. An S/PDIF Out port is not included on this board.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✕
Supports RAID 5	✕
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

In terms of RAID support, the board is compatible with RAID 0 for striping and RAID 1 for mirroring. RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 0+1 configurations are not supported.

Final Verdict

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi delivers a well-rounded AM5 platform for mainstream desktop builders who prioritize modern wireless features and tuning flexibility. Its Wi-Fi 7 support combined with DDR5 overclocking headroom up to 8000 MHz gives it a forward-looking edge within its category, and practical touches like dual BIOS, six fan headers, and a TPM connector round out a feature set that covers everyday reliability without overcomplicating the build process. Those chasing cutting-edge GPU bandwidth or advanced workstation capabilities may find certain limits, but for users building a capable, connectivity-rich AM5 system, this board represents a coherent and well-specified option.